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More Than 222,000 Illegals Deported This Year

CYBERJAYA – A total of 222,647 illegal immigrants have been deported between January and Nov 25, says Home Deputy Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

He said of the number, 78,879 were depot detainees while the rest were registered under the Voluntary Surrender Programme, also known as the 3+1 programme which would end on Dec 31.

He said during the same period, 53,330 illegal immigrants, 694 employers and 34 syndicate agents were detained in 9,429 operations carried out by the immigration department, together with RELA and the National Registration Department (NRD).

“Most of the illegal immigrants were from Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines and Myanmar,” Nur Jazlan told reporters following operations to track down illegal immigrants early today.

In the operations which began at 1.30am at an illegal settlement area for foreign workers, 1,163 foreign workers were screened and 290 detained for not having work permits.

They comprised 116 Indonesians, 105 Bangladesh nationals, Myanmar (22), Vietnam (13), Nepal (three), and one each from India and Pakistan.

Also detained were 26 Indonesian women and three Vietnamese women.

The immigration department estimates about 2,000 foreign workers were placed within a two-kilometre radius of the illegal settlement area in Bukit Damar. – BERNAMA